Davide Astori is preparing to return to training inside the next seven days ahead of an anticipated return to action by Week 19.

The defender broke his leg in a clash with Ezequiel Lavezzi during Cagliari’s goalless draw with Napoli in mid-October and was immediately ruled out for three months.

The centre-back, who has been a regular in Cesare Prandelli’s Italy squads, albeit without receiving much playing time, is expected to be training with Davide Ballardini’s by the weekend, just as he turns 25.

L’Unione Sarda speculate that alongside captain Daniele Conte and forward Moestafa El Kabir, who have also both been recovering from injury over the festive period, Astori will be back by Week 19’s home clash with Fiorentina.